The African Union Commission Women, Gender and Youth Directorate In collaboration with the UN Women hosted the Inaugural Annual Continental Coordination Platform for the Spotlight Initiative on the African Continent. The inaugural event was held from the 1st to the 2nd of June 2021. The Spotlight initiative focuses on eliminating sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices and addressing their link to sexual and reproductive health rights. The initiative is implemented in eight countries in Africa namely Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The continental platform event is aimed at gathering practical experiences from the 8 countries covered by the Spotlight Initiatives. The office of the Special Envoy highlighted the importance of focusing on promoting learning among countries regarding progress and challenges on ending violence against women and girls, enhancing ways in which beneficiary countries can ensure coherence and comparability in data collection and analysis, and finally strengthen collaboration between implementing countries.
